Daily Archives: August 20, 2016

This is a quick introduction to using the ZOE. It is intended to give just the basic information required for a test drive, use of a ZOE from a hire/rental company, or to get your ZOE home the day you buy it.

Rapid Charging the ZOE (Image: T. Larkum)

Doors

The ZOE is a five door car designed to look like a three door car: the rear doors are opened by pressing on the concealed black handles (marked with a thumbprint) next to the windows.

ZOE uses keyless entry, i.e. it opens electronically via a key fob rather than with a physical key. There are two methods, the simplest is to lock and unlock the doors using the buttons on the key fob.

Driving

The ZOE has been designed to feel like a small automatic car so it has a large gear lever beside the driver. It has the usual positions from front to back: Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N) and Drive (D); these modes and the current selection are shown on the dashboard when power is on.

To start the car:

The gear lever must be in Park (all the way forward).

The key fob must be somewhere within the car.

Press and hold the brake pedal.

Press the Start/Stop button to the left of the steering wheel.

The car will start with an audible chime and ‘READY’ will show on the dashboard – the car is ready to move.

To move away engage the Drive gear position (with foot still on brake) and release the handbrake (beside the driver’s seat).

Note that the ZOE has been programmed with ‘creep’, i.e. it will move forward like an automatic even when the accelerator is not pressed.

The ZOE has both conventional and electronic brakes and at low speed, below about 10mph, the brakes can feel a bit ‘grabby’ especially if you are not used to it; take care in car parks and other confined spaces.

There will be an external sound for warning pedestrians when you drive forward up to about 20mph. Note, however, there is no warning sound when reversing.

Once in Drive mode, since there is no gearbox, you can accelerate up to maximum speed (about 84mph) without changing gear.

You can come to a complete stop in Drive If you are stopping for any length of time you should then engage the handbrake and Park mode.

To turn off completely use the Start/Stop

Charging

If charging from a home charge point ensure it is powered up and ready (a Chargemaster/Polar charge point shows an amber light, for example).

Ensure the car is in Park mode, the handbrake is engaged and the motor is off (no ‘READY’ sign).

Release the charging port door (it carries the Renault badge on the nose) using the button on the key fob.

Open the charging port door (which swings to your left) and the internal charging port cover (which swings to your right) by hand.

Insert the charging cable from the charge point. This should be followed by an audible click as the ZOE locks the connector into place (it cannot be pulled out by hand).

If charging from a public charge point, at this point you need to initiate a charge (the method will depend on the charge point model).

The ZOE dashboard will read ‘Ongoing Checks’ as it communicates with the charge point. The charge point will also likely give an indication (a Chargemaster/Polar unit will show amber and green lights, for example).

When the charge begins it will be accompanied by a high pitched whine (not always audible to everyone). The dashboard will show how long the charge will take as ‘Time Remaining : ’ plus an hours:minutes display. It will also show the percentage charge complete.

The car should be locked if unattended, but operating the locks and doors has no effect on the charge operation.

The ZOE may sit at 99% for a long time to battery balance – it does no harm to stop charging at this or any other point occasionally if it’s convenient (e.g. when in a rush).

If at a public charge point the charge should be stopped at the charge point. A home charge point can be turned off or left on and the cable simply disconnected.

Release the charge cable connector using the button on the key fob, and withdraw the connector.

Close the charging port cover and charging port door; charging is complete.